It has also revealed high sickness costs and a significant turnover of staff, including a number of long-serving employees.
General Manager Paul Lickley reflected on the firm’s financial performance and the unsung work of its staff.
“Last year’s financial performance was extremely pleasing. I’m also pleased to say that States Works has been able to contribute £1m. to the overall returns being made by the wider Trading Assets to the States of Guernsey as part of the States’ Medium Term Financial Plan,” he said.
Pictured: States Works staff can often be seen maintaining roads, managing public areas and responding to call-outs.
“Many of the activities States Works undertake are essential to keeping Guernsey operating but are often carried out unbeknown to a lot of our customers, with our hard working staff operating at all times of the day”.
That hard work may have taken its toll, as staff sickness costs increased by almost 20% on the year before.
“The total sickness costs in 2018 were £322,000 compared to £272,000 in 2017,” the annual report states. “Unfortunately, this is an increase but States Works continue to manage sickness in accordance with States of Guernsey Policies and Procedures.”
The 200-strong workforce also said goodbye to some highly-experienced and long-serving colleagues last year.
“For the year ending 31 December 2018, there were 40 joiners and 37 leavers which is a net change of three staff,” the report states.
“The total number of staff at the end of the year was 214 (2017: 216). Two leavers had worked at States Works for a combined total of over 83 years with a further five members of staff amassing a total of over 134 years between them.”
Pictured: Fewer man hours were worked on call-outs during 2018 than in previous years.
The replacement of departing staff was vital, as the firm’s diverse workload expanded further as part of a drive towards alternative revenue opportunities, which saw States Works take up waste and recycling collection services to more parishes and commercial customers. The business also secured the contract to maintain and operate Guernsey’s new Household Waste and Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station at Longue Hougue.
And improvements were made to workplace safety.
“There were 49 reported incidents during 2018 which is lower than the three-year average of 78,” the report states. “Accidents with time off work are also lower at nine compared to the three year average of 15. The main causes of accidents continues to be related to slips, trips and falls and lifting and handling. The majority of which are non-reportable incidents. Vehicle accidents have also fallen from the same period in the prior year.
“The reporting of ‘near miss’ incidents continues to increase which should result in an overall reduction of accidents in the long term.”
Pictured top: All images taken from States Works’ annual report.